(Above image of the Gospel of Thomas courtesy of the
Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate University)

Visit the Bookstore for
a complete selection of translations and books about the Gnostic Gospels.

The Nag Hammadi Library

Zostrianos

Translated by John N. Sieber

Archive Note: The small bold numbers represent pages in the original
manuscript. Several large sections of this codex were lost or heavily damaged; translation of these sections is thus fragmentary. Lacunae are marked [...].

[...] of the [...] the words [...] live forever, these I [...] Zostrianos [...] and
[...] and Iolaos, when I was in the world for these like me and [those] after me, [the]
living elect. As God lives, [...] the truth with truth and knowledge and eternal light.

After I parted from the somatic darkness in me and the psychic chaos in mind and the
feminine desire [...] in the darkness, I did not use it again. After I found the infinite
part of my matter, then I reproved the dead creation within me and the divine Cosmocrater
of the perceptible (world) by preaching powerfully about the All to those with alien
parts.

Although I tried their ways for a little while after the necessity of begetting brought
me to the revealed, I was never pleased with them, but I always separated myself from them
because I came into being through a holy [...], yet mixed. When I had set straight my
sinless soul, then I strengthened 2 the intellectual [...] and I
[...] in the [...] of my God [...] [...] I having done [...] grow strong in a holy spirit
higher than god.

It [came] upon me alone as I was setting myself straight, [and] I saw the perfect child
[...] [...]. With him who [...] many times and many ways [he] appeared to me as a loving
father, when I was seeking the male father of all (who are) in thought, perception, (in)
form, race, [region ...], (in) an All which restrains and is restrained, (in) a body yet
without a body, (in) essence, matter and [those that] belong to all these. It is with them
and the god of the unborn Kalyptos and the power [in] them all that existence is mixed.

(About) existence: how do those who exist, being from the aeon of those who exist,
(come) from an invisible, undivided and self-begotten spirit? Are they three unborn images
having an origin better than existence, existing prior [to] all [these], yet having become
the [world ...]? How are those opposite it and all these 3 [...]
good, he and an excuse. What is that one"s place? What is his origin? How does the
one from him exist for him and all these? How [does he come into existence] as a simple
one, differing [from] himself? Does he exist as existence, form, and blessedness? By
giving strength is he alive with life? How has the existence which does not exist appeared
from an existing power?

I pondered these things to understand them; according to the custom of my race I kept
bringing them up to the god of my fathers. I kept praising them all, for my forefathers
and fathers who sought found. As for me, I did not cease seeking a resting place worthy of
my spirit, since I was not yet bound in the perceptible world. Then, as I was deeply
troubled and gloomy because of the discouragement which encompassed me, I dared to act and
to deliver myself to the wild beasts of the desert for a violent death.

There stood before me the angel of the knowledge of eternal light. He said to me,
"Zostrianos, why have you gone mad as if you were ignorant of the great eternals 4
who are above? [...] you [...] [...] say also [...] that you are now saved, [...] [...] in
eternal death, nor [...] [...] those whom you know in order to [...] save others, [namely]
my father"s chosen elect? [Do you] [suppose] that you are the father of [your race
...] or that Iolaos is your father, a [...] angel of god [...] you through holy men? Come
and pass through each of these. You will return to them another [time] to preach to a
living [race ...] and to save those who are worthy, and to strengthen the elect, because
the struggle of the aeon is great but one"s time in this world is short."

When he had said this [to me], I very quickly and very gladly went up with him to a
great light-cloud. I cast my body upon the earth to be guarded by glories. I was rescued
from the whole world and the thirteen aeons in it and their angelic beings. They did not
see us, but their archon was disturbed at [our] passage, for the light-cloud 5
[...] it is better than every [worldly ...] one. Its beauty is ineffable. With strength it
provides light [guiding] pure spirits as a spirit-savior and an intellectual word, [not]
like those in the world [...] with changeable matter and an upsetting word.

Then I knew that the power in me was set over the darkness because it contained the
whole light. I was baptized there, and I received the image of the glories there. I became
like one of them. I left the airy-[earth] and passed by the copies of the aeons, after
washing there seven times [in] living [water], once for each [of the] aeons. I did not
cease until [I saw] all the waters. I ascended to the Exile which really exists. I was
baptized and [...] world. I ascended to the Repentance which really exists [and was]
baptized there four times. I passed by the 6 sixth aeon. I ascended
to the [...] I stood there after having seen light from the truth which really exists,
from its self-begotten root, and great angels and glories, [...] number.

I was baptized in the [name of] the divine Autogenes by those powers which are [upon]
living waters, Michar and Micheus. I was purified by [the] great Barpharanges. Then they
[revealed] themselves to me and wrote me in glory. I was sealed by those who are on these
powers, [Michar] Mi[ch]eus, Seldao, Ele[nos] and Zogenethlos. I became a root-seeing angel
and stood upon the first aeon which is the fourth. With the souls I blessed the divine
Autogenes and the forefather Geradamas, [an eye of] the Autogenes, the first perfect
[man], and Seth Emm[acha Seth], the son of Adamas, the [father of] the [immovable race
...] and the [four] [lights ... ]
(1 line unrecoverable)
Mirothea, the mother [...] [...] and Prophania [...] of the lights and De-[...] 7
[...]

I was [baptized] for the second time in the name of the divine Autogenes by these same
powers. I became an angel of the male race. I stood upon the second aeon which is the
third, with the sons of Seth I blessed each of them.

I was baptized for the third time in the name of the divine Autogenes by each of these
powers. I became a holy angel. I stood upon the third aeon which is the second. I blessed
each of them.

I was baptized for the fourth time by [each of] these powers. I became [a] perfect
[angel] [I stood upon] the fourth aeon [which is the first], and [I blessed each of them.]

Then I sought [...] I said [...] I [...] of [...] I
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] why [...] [...] with power [...] about them in another way in the reports 8
of men? Are these their powers? Or, are these the ones, but their names differ from one
another? Are there souls different from souls? Why are people different from one another?
What and in what way are they human?"

The great ruler on high, Authrounios, said to me, "Are you asking about those whom
you have passed by? And about this airy-earth, why it has a cosmic model? And about the
aeon copies, how many there are, and, why they are [not] in pain? And, about Exile and
Repentance and the creation of the [aeons] and the world which [...] really [...] you,
about [...] me, them [...] nor [...] you [...] invisible [spirit ...] and the [...] of
[...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)
and [...] [...] when I [...]

9 The great ruler on high, Authrounios, said to me, "The
airy-earth came into being by a word, yet it is the begotten and perishable ones whom it
reveals by its indestructibility. In regard to the coming of the great judges, (they came)
so as not to taste perception and to be enclosed in creation, and when they came upon it
and saw through it the works of the world, they condemned its ruler to death because he
was a model of the world, a [...] and an origin of matter begotten of lost darkness.

When Sophia looked at [...] them she produced the darkness, as she [... she] is beside
the [... he is a] model [...] of essence [...] form [...] to an image [...] I [...] the
All
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] darkness [...] [...] say [...] powers [... aeons] of [creation ...] to see any of
the eternal ones. 10 he saw a reflection. In relation to the
reflection which he saw in it, he created the world. With a reflection of a reflection he
worked at producing the world, and then even the reflection belonging to visible reality
was taken from him. But to Sophia a place of rest was given in exchange for her
repentance. Thus, there was in her no prior reflection, pure in itself beforehand.

After they had already come into being through it, he used his imagination (and)
produced the remainder, for the image of Sophia was always being lost because her
countenance was deceiving. But the Archon [...] and made a body which [...] concerning the
greater [...] down [...] when I saw [...] to the heart [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
he having [...]
(4 lines unrecoverable)
perfect through [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] through him, as he 11 [revealed] the destruction of the world
by his [immutability]. It is in the following way that the copies of the aeons exist. They
have not obtained a single power"s shape. It is eternal glories that they possess,
and they dwell in the judgment seats of each of the powers.

But when souls are illuminated by the light in them and (by) the model which often
comes into being in them without suffering, she did not think that she saw [...] and the
eternal [...] in the blessed [...] each single one [...] each of [...] light [... all],
and she [...] whole, and she [...] and a [...] and she [...] she who
(4 lines unrecoverable)
of repentance. [Souls] 12 are located according to the power they
have in themselves, [...] lower are produced by the copies. Those who receive a model of
their souls are still in the world. They came into being after the departure of the aeons,
one by one, and they are removed one by one from the copy of Exile to the Exile that
really exists, from the copy of Repentance to the Repentance that really exists, [and from
the] copy of Autogenes to [the Autogenes] that really exists. The remainder [...] the
souls [...] exist in a [...] all [...] of aeons [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
and [...] [through ... ] the [...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)
of [...] these [...] 13 [blessed the] god above, the great aeons,
the unborn Kalyptos, the great male Protophanes, the perfect child who is higher than god,
and his eye, Pigeradamas.

I called upon the Child of the Child, Ephesech. He stood before me and said, "O
angel of god, O son of the father, [...] the perfect man. Why are you calling on me and
asking about those things which you know, as though you were [ignorant] of them?" And
I said, "I have asked about the mixture [...] it is perfect and gives [...] there is
power which [has ... those] in which we receive baptism [...] these names are [different
...] and why [...] from one [...] in the [... from] others [...] men [... different]
(3 lines unrecoverable)

14 He said, "[Zost]rianos, listen about these [...] for the
first [...] origins are three because they have appeared in a single origin [of] the
Barbelo aeon, not like some origins and powers, nor like (one) from an origin and power.
It is to every origin that they have appeared; they have strengthened every power; and
they appeared from that which is far better than themselves. These (three) are Existence,
Blessedness and Life. [...] [...] their companions [...] in a [...] and concerning the
[...] having named [...] more than [...] and [...] a perfect [...] from a
(6 lines unrecoverable)

15 And a water of each one of them [...] ; therefore [...] waters
are the perfect ones. It is the water of life that belongs to Vitality in which you now
have been baptized in the Autogenes. It is in the [water] of Blessedness which belongs to
Knowledge that you will be baptized in the Protophanes. It is the water of Existence
[which] belongs to Divinity, the Kalyptos. Now the water of Life [exists in relation to
...] power; that belonging to Blessedness in relation to essence; that belonging to
[Divinity] in relation to [Existence ...]. But all these [...] authority and [...] those
who [...] water which [becomes pure ...] [...] according to [... when they] depart
(4 lines unrecoverable)

[...] 16 Existence as [he] is in it. [He] not only [was dwelling]
in Thought, but he also [...] them that it is he who is [Being] in the following way. In
order that this world might not be endless and formless, he placed a [...] over it; but in
order that [he] might become something, the truly young crossed it with what is his,
[thus] Existence. It is with the [son] that he is located, with him that he seeks, him
that he surrounds [...] everywhere [...] from the truth [...] takes him who [...] exists
[...] activity [...] life [...] his word also [...] are these after [...] they became
[...]
(5 lines unrecoverable)

[...] 17 and the power is with the Essence and Existence of
Being, when the water exists. But the name in which they wash is a word of the water. Then
the first perfect water of the triple-power of the Autogenes [is] the perfect soul"s
life, for it is a word of the perfect god while coming into being [...] for the Invisible
Spirit is a fountain of them all. Thus, the rest are from [knowledge ...] as his likeness.
[But] he who knows himself [...] what kind and what [...] alive at one time [...] live
with a [...] he is the [...] life, in the [...] become [limitless ... ] his [... his] [own
... ] the name
(4 lines unrecoverable)18 he really exists. It is he because he limits himself. They
approach the water according to this single power and the likeness of order.

The great male invisible Mind, the perfect Protophanes has his own water as you [will
see] when you arrive at his place. This is also the case with the unborn Kalyptos. In
accordance with each one exists a partial entity with a first form, so that they might
become perfect in this way; for the self-begotten aeons are four perfect entities. [The]
individuals of the all-perfect ones [...] them as perfect individuals. And the [...] aeon
[...] of the Autogenes [...] for all [...] [perfect] male [...] for the alls [...]
[perfect god ... the triple-] male [...] [perfect] individual [...] in the [...]
(5 lines unrecoverable)19 perfect, those who exist according to a form, a race, an All and
a partial difference. This is also the case with the highway of ascent which is higher
than perfect and Kalyptos.

The Autogenes is the chief archon of his own aeons and angels as his parts, for those
who are the four individuals belong to him; they belong to the fifth aeon together. The
fifth exists in one; the four [are] the fifth, part by part. But these [four] are complete
individually [because they] have a [...] it is also [...] with [the triple male]
individual [...] for he is a [...] of [...] god, the invisible [Protophanes] [... male]
mind [...] which exists
(6 lines unrecoverable)20 living and perfect parts.

(About) the All and the all-perfect race and the one who is higher than perfect and
blessed. The self-begotten Kalyptos pre-exists because he is an origin of the Autogenes, a
god and a forefather, a cause of the Protophanes, a father of the parts that are his. As a
divine father he is foreknown: but he is unknown, for he is a power and a father from
himself. Therefore, he is [fatherless]. The Invisible Triple Powerful, First Thought [of]
all [these], the Invisible Spirit [...] is a [...] and Essence which [...] and Existence
[...] there are [existences] the [...] blessed [...] the [...] all these [...] the [...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)21 exist in them, [and] they [...] in others [...] by them all in
many places. They are in every place that he loves and desires, yet they are not in any
place. They have capacity for spirit, for they are incorporeal yet are better than
incorporeal. They are undivided with living thoughts and a power of truth with those purer
than these since with respect to him they are purer and are not like the bodies which are
in one place. Above all, they have necessity either in relation to the All or to a part.
Therefore, the way of ascent [...] it is pure [...] each [...] herself and
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] them
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[... above all]
(1 line unrecoverable)22 particular aeons.

Then [he said], "How then can he contain an eternal model? The general intellect
shares when the self-begotten water becomes perfect. It one knows him and all these, one
is the protophanic water. If one joins oneself with all these, one is that water which
belongs to Kalyptos, whose image is still in the aeons. To understand individually all
their parts, they are [...] , those of the All where knowledge is. They have [separated]
from the one whom they knew and (from) fellowship with one another. The All and all these,
when they [...] wash in the [washing of] [Autogenes] he [...] of [...]
(5 lines unrecoverable)23 he appears to [him], that is, when one knows how he exists for
him and (how) he has fellowship with their companions, one has washed in the washing of
Protophanes. And if in understanding the origin of these, how they all appear from a
single origin, how all who are joined come to be divided, how those who are divided join
again, and how the parts [join with] the alls and the species and [kinds - if] one
understands these things, one has washed in the washing of Kalyptos.

According to each of [the] places one has a portion of the eternal ones [and] ascends
[...] as he [...] pure and simple, he is always [...] one of the [...] [always] he is pure
for simpleness. He is filled [...] [in ...] Existence and a holy spirit. There is 24
nothing of his outside of him. He can [see] with his perfect soul those who belong to
Autogenes; with his mind , those who belong to the Triple Male, and with his holy spirit,
those who belong to Protophanes. He can learn of Kalyptos through the powers of the spirit
from whom they have come forth in a far better revelation of the Invisible Spirit. And by
means of thought which now is in silence and by First Thought (he learns) of the Triple
Powerful Invisible Spirit, since there is then a report and power of silence which is
purified in a life-giving spirit. (It is) perfect and [...] perfect and all-perfect.

Glories, therefore, which are set over these, are [life-givers] who have been baptized
in truth and knowledge. Those who are worthy are guarded, but those who [are] not from
this race [...] and go [...] these who [...] [...] in the fifth, he being [...] [...] copy
[...] of the aeons [...] namely a washing but if [he] strips off the world 25
and lays aside [knowledge], and (if) he is he who has no dwelling place and power, then
because he follows the ways of the others, he is also a sojourner, but (if) he is one who
has committed no sin because knowledge was sufficient for him, he is not anxious when he
repents, and then washings are appointed" in these in addition.

(Concerning) (the path ...) to the self-begotten ones, those in which you have now been
baptised each time, (a path) worthy of seeing the [perfect ...] individuals: it serves as
knowledge of the All since it came into being from the powers of the self-begotten ones,
the one you acquire when you pass through the all-perfect aeons. When you receive the
third washing [...], you will learn about the [...] really [...] in [that] place.

About these names, they are as follows: because he is one, they [...] is like [...]
while he [came into being ...] exists and [...] a word they [said ...] 26
This is a name which really exists together with [these] within her. These who exist do so
in [...] ... resembles. His resemblance in kind (is) within what is his own. He can see
it, understand it enter it, (and) take a resemblance from it. Now (they can) speak aloud
and hear sounds, but they are unable to obey because they are perceptible and somatic.
Therefore, just as they are able to contain them by containing them thus, so is he an
image which is [...] in this way, having come into existence in perception [by] a word
which is better than material nature but lower than intellectual essence.

Do not be amazed about the differences among souls. When they think they are different
and do [not resemble] [...] of those who [...] and that [...] aloud [...] he being lost
[...] their [souls] [...] body, and that [... his] time, he [...] a desire, 27
their souls exist as [...] their body. As for those who are totally pure, there are four
[...] that they possess; but those [in] time are nine. Each one of them has its species
and its custom. Their likenesses differ in being separated, and they stand.

Other immortal souls associate with all these souls because of the Sophia who looked
down; for there are three species of immortal soul: first, those who have taken root upon
the Exile because they have no ability to beget, (something) that only those who follow
the ways of the others have, the one being a single species which [...]; being second,
those who stand [upon the] Repentance which [...] sin, (it) being sufficient [...
knowledge ...] being new [...] and he has [...] difference [...] they have sinned with the
others [and] 28 they have repented with the others [...] from them
alone, for [...] are species which exist in [...] with those who committed all sins and
repented. Either they are parts, or they desired of their own accord. Therefore, their
other aeons are six according to the place which has come to each (fem.) of them. The
third (species) is that of the souls of the self-begotten ones because they have a word of
the ineffable truth, one which exists in knowledge and [power] from themselves alone and
eternal [life]. They have four differences like the species of angels who exist: those who
love the truth; those who hope; those who believe having [...]; those who are [...] They
exist, he being [...] the self-begotten ones [...] he is the one belonging to [perfect ...
life]; the second is [...] the [...] knowledge [...] the fourth is that one [belonging to
the] immortal [souls ...]

29 The four Lights dwell [there] in the following way. [Armozel]
is placed upon the first aeon. (He is) a promise of god, [...] of truth and a joining of
soul. Oroiael, a power (and) seer of truth, is set over the second. Daveithe, a vision of
knowledge, is set over the third. Eleleth, an eager desire and preparation for truth, is
set over the fourth. The four exist because they are expressions of truth and knowledge.
They exist, although they do not belong to Protophanes but to the mother, for she is a
thought of the perfect mind of the light, so that immortal souls might receive knowledge
for themselves. [...] at these, the Autogenes [...]rse[...]oas, a life [...] all he is a
word [...] ineffable [...] truth he who says [... revelation] concerning the [...] that it
exists as [...] exists above in [...] 30 [... joined] in a yoking of
it in light and thought within his [...].

Since Adamas, the perfect man, is an eye of Autogenes, it is his knowledge which
comprehends that the divine Autogenes is a word of the perfect mind of truth. The son of
Adam, Seth, comes to each of the souls. As knowledge he is sufficient for them. Therefore,
[the] living [seed] came into existence from him. Mirothea is [...] the divine Autogenes,
a [...] from her and [...], she being a thought of the perfect mind because of that
existence of hers. What is it? Or did she exist? [...] does she exist? Therefore, the
divine Autogenes is word and knowledge, and the knowledge [... word.] Therefore [...]
Adarn a [s ...] of the [simple ones] when she appeared [...] a change of [the] souls [...]
she herself is [...] [...] perfect.

Concerning the [perfect one ...] angelic beings 31 [...] [becomes
then] [souls] [die ...] [... the world ...] [...] the copies [...] really [...] which
[exists] [...] repentance [...] to this place [...] which exists [...] aeons, if [...] and
she loves [...] she stands upon [...] aeon having the Light [Ele]leth [...] become a [...]
god-seer [But] if she hopes, then she perceives. And a [...] race [...] she stands upon
(8 lines unrecoverable)32 [...] she is chosen
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] light Ar[mozel]

[...] one [...] [bless] upon the [power ...] you stand upon [...] the light which [...]
and without measure [...] the aeon is great [...] [...] those alone [...] from the perfect
[...] that power [...] be able, and [...] be able [...] of his soul [...] perceptible
[...] not with [...] [... but] you are [...] individually [...] there being nothing [...]
him [...] which he [...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[in ...] 33 and [...] upon every one [...] every [...] [...]
formless [...] [...] and this one [...] and this [model ...] [...] and some [...] eternal,
nor [...] an all [...] increasing from this [...] he is light [...] because he lacked
[...] the perfect mind [...] undivided [...] perfect light [...] and he is in [...] Adamas
[... the] Autogenes [...] and he goes [...] mind [...] the divine Kalyptos [...] knowledge
[...] but [...] soul
(5 lines unrecoverable)34 [...] existence [...] she having
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] some second powers and [...] and some third [...] appear [...] which [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
soul [...]

And the aeons [...] dwelling place [...] souls and [...] gods [...] higher than god
[...] of the self-begotten ones [...] Autogenes [...] first [...] angel [...] invisible
[...] some [...] soul and [...] aeons [...] and to the souls [...] angel [...]
(4 lines unrecoverable)35 she [...] eternal [...] times. And [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
and if [...] namely a soul [...] becomes an [angel ...], and [...] world [...] angels and
[...] that holy one [...] and aeon which [... Autog]enes has [...] them, the [...] [...]
archon [...] they have [...] difference which [...] she is not, to speak
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] and [...] divine Autogenes [...] which exists [...] hear [...] Autogenes [...] of
(5 lines unrecoverable)36 [...] has [...] existence [...] life [...] exist, concerning
[the] [...] word [...] the child [...] male for a generation [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
invisible spirit [...] in the perfect [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
and an origin [...] love and [...] of Barbelo [...] and a [...] the [...] mind [...]

These are two [...] thought [...] from the [...] in Barbelo [...] and the Kalyptos
[...] all these [...] the virgin [...] she [appears] in a [...] and [...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)37 in that one [...] power
(1 line unrecoverable)
[he is not] from [him, but ...] (is) from the power of that one [... really ... exists],
she [...] is his [...] they being first [...] of that one [...] and he is the [...] he
alone [...] give him enough [...] to him [...] all, he gives [...] through the [...] for
[because of] him some [...] in order that he might [...] and that one which [...] him
[...] undivided [...] Barbelo [...] in order that he might [...] blessedness
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] all [...] he comes
(4 lines unrecoverable)38 a [...] of the perfect [mind ...] and he [...] perfect spirit
[...] perfect, he lives forever [...] him, and [...] he exists [...] of the [...] he is [a
word] from [...] which is in [...] of them all [...] eternal [...] [...] in the
triple-[powerful is in the [...] [...] those which [are perfect [...] the Protophanes
[...] mind, but [...] pure[...] and he [...] of an image [...] appear [...] and the [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
him [...]
(5 lines unrecoverable)39 [...] [...] namely
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] because of him they [...] I mark it [...] he is simple [...] for he is [...] as he
exists [...] as to another [...] that is, [...] need.

Concerning [...] triple-male [...] really exists of [...] mind knowledge [...] those
who exist [...] which he has [...] really exist [...] and a [...] [...] and she [...]
second [...] perfect which [...] appear [...] in him they [...] Kalyptos
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[... species ...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)40 (4 lines unrecoverable)
second species [...] a knowledge [...] [Protophanes ...] [male ...] he has [...] existence
[...] unborn, they [...] third [...] [... he] has [...] knowledge and [...] exist together
[...] all-perfect [...] blessed since there is not [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
god [...] with him [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
perfect [...] of the [...] Kalyptos [...]
(4 lines unrecoverable)41 [...] know [...] of [... Protophanes ...] [...] the mind [...]
the powers [...] the all [...] and he [exists] [...] this knowledge.

[...] divine, the Autogenes. [The] divine [Autogenes] [...] the child [...]
triple-male, this male [...] is [...] and a species [...] perfect because it does not have
[...] in a [...] knowledge like that one [...] a being of the individuals [and] a single
knowledge of the individuals [...] according to the all [...] perfect. But the male [...]
mind the Kalyptos, [but] the [...] divine Kalyptos [...] and a power [...] of all these
[... really ...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[Protophanes ...]
(1 line unrecoverable)42 [Protophanes ...] [...] mind
(2 lines unrecoverable)
she who belongs to the all [...] unborn [...] man [...] they [...] with that one who [...]
and he who [...] he who dwells [...] [...] in the perceptible [world ...] he is alive with
that dead one [...] [...] all [...] obtain salvation [...] that dead one.

And all of them did not need salvation [...] first, but they are safe and exist very
humbly. Now (about) the man [of] those who are dead: his soul, [his mind and his body all
[are dead]. Sufferings [...] fathers of [...] material [...] the fire [...]
(4 lines unrecoverable)43 it crosses over. And the second man is the immortal soul in those
who are dead. If it is anxious over itself, then [when it seeks] those things which are
profitable [according to ...] each one of them, [then it] experiences bodily suffering.
They [...] and it [... because] it has an eternal god, it associates with daimons.

Now concerning the man in the Exile; when he discovers the truth in himself, he is far
from the deeds of the others who exist [wrongly] (and) stumble. (Concerning) the man who
repents: when he renounces the dead and desires those things which are because of immortal
mind and his immortal soul, first he [...] makes an inquiry about it, not about conduct
but about their deeds, for from him he [...] [...] and [...] obtain [...] 44
and the man who can be saved is the one who seeks him and his mind and who finds each one
of them. Oh how much power he has! And the man who is saved is the one who has not known
how these [...] exist, but he himself by means of [the] word as it exists [...] received
each one [...] in every place, having become simple and one, for then he is saved because
he can pass through all [these]. He becomes the [...] all these. If he [desires] again,
then he parts from them all, and he withdraws to himself [alone]; for he can become divine
by having taken refuge in god."

When I heard this, I brought a blessing to the living and unborn God in truth and (to)
the unborn Kalyptos and the Protophanes, the invisible, male, perfect Mind, and the
invisible triple-male Child [and to the] divine Autogenes. 45 I said
to the child of the child Ephesek who was with me, "Can your wisdom instruct me about
the scattering of the man who is saved, and (about) those who are mixed with him, and who
those are who share with him, in order that the living elect might know?"

Then the child of the child Ephesek told [me ...] openly, "If he withdraws to
himself alone many times, and if he comes into being with reference to the knowledge of
the others, Mind and the immortal [Origin] will not understand. Then it has a shortage,
[...] for he turns, has nothing and separates from it and stands [...] and comes into
being by an alien [impulse ...I, instead of becoming one. Therefore, he bears many forms.
When he turns aside, he comes into being seeking those things that do not exist. When he
falls down to them in thought and knows them in another way because he is powerless,
unless perhaps 46 he is enlightened, he becomes a product of nature.
Thus he comes down to birth because of it and is speechless because of the pains and
infiniteness of matter. Although he possesses an eternal and immortal power, he is bound
within the [movement] of the body. He is [made] alive and is bound [always] within cruel,
cutting bonds by every evil breath, until he [acts] again and begins again to come to his
senses.

Therefore, powers are appointed for their salvation, and each one of them is in the
world. Within the self-begotten ones corresponding to each of the [aeons] stand glories so
that one who is in the [world] might be safe beside them. The glories are perfect thoughts
appearing in powers. They do not perish because they [are] models for salvation [by] which
each one is saved. He receives a model (and) strength from each of them, and with the
glory as a helper he will thus pass out from the world [and the aeons ...].

These 47 are the guardians of the immortal soul: Gamaliel and
Strempsouchos, Akramas and Loel, and Mnesinous. [This is the] immortal spirit, Yesseus-
Mazareu[s]-Ye[s]sedekeus. He is [...] of the child [...] or, the child of the child, and
[...] But Ormos is [...] on the living seed and Kam[...]el is the spirit-giving. There
stand before [them] Seisauel and Audael and Abrasax, the myriads-Phaleris, Phalses, [and]
Eurios, the guardians of [the] glory-Stetheus, Theo[pe]mptos, Eurumeneus and Olsen. Their
assistants in everything are Ba[...]mos, [.]son, Eir[.]n, Lalameus, Eidomeneus and
Authrounios. The judges are Sumphthar, Eukrebos and Keilar. The inheritor is Samblo. The
angels who guide the clouds are the clouds Sappho and Thouro."

When he had said these things, he told me about all of those in the self-begotten
aeons. They were all 48 eternal Lights, perfect because they were
perfected individually. I saw corresponding to each one of the aeons a living earth, a
living water, [air made] of light and a fire [that] cannot burn, because all of [them ...]
are simple and immutable, simple and eternal [living beings], having [...] of many kinds,
trees of many kinds that do not perish, [also] tares of this sort and all of these:
imperishable fruit, living men and every species, immortal souls, every form and species
of mind, true gods, angels existing in great glory, an indissoluable body, an unborn birth
and an immovable perception. Also there was the one who suffers, although he is unable to
suffer, for he was a power of a power.

49 [...] [...] change [...] indissoluable [...] these [...] all
[...] they are [...] they [... through all] of them [... exist] in [... exist] [...] come
into being
(1 line unrecoverable)
(lines 12ff do not survive) 50 of [...] [simple ...] perfect [...]
eternal [...] aeons [...] and the [...] receive power [...] and their [...] in a [...] for
[...] [...] not [...] (lines 12ff do not survive)

51 [...] in [...]thorso[...]s [...] silence [...] he is [...]
[...] he is god [...] we were blessing [...] Geradama[s] [... mother] of [...] [...] she
is the glory [...] our [...] mother [...] and Pleistha [the mother] of the angels with
[the son] of Adam, Se[th] [Emma]cha Seth, the father of [the] immovable [race ...] and
[...] [the] four Lights, Arm[mosel], [Oroia]el, Daveithe, Eleleth. [Each of these] we
blessed by name. [We] saw the self-controlled [glory], the triple [...] triple-male [...]
majesty, as we said "You are one, you are [one], you are one, child 52
of [the child] Yato[...] exist [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[... you are] one, you [...] Semelel [...] Telmachae[...] omothem[...] male [...] [...] he
begets [... the] self-controlled [glory ...] can desire him whom [...] all-perfect [...]
all. Akron [...] the triple-male, a a [...] o o o o o b + i r e i s e [...] you are spirit
from spirit; you are light from light; you are [silence ...] from silence; [you are]
thought from thought, the son of [god] the god, seven ... [...] ... let us speak [...]53 (3 lines unrecoverable)
[...] word [...] the [...] [...] and the [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] not a time [...] invisible Barbelo [...] the [...] the triple-male Prones, and she
who belongs to all the glories, Youel.

[When I was] baptized the fifth [time] in the name of the Autogenes by each of these
powers, I became divine. [I] stood upon the fifth aeon, a preparation of all [these],
(and) saw all those belonging to the Autogenes who really exist. I was baptized five 54
times [...] and [...] of the [...] zareu[s] from [...] that [...] perfect [...] and the
great [...] glory, she who belongs to [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
god, the [...] appear [...] perfect which is doubled [...] she who belongs to all the
species [...] male, the self-controlled glory, the mother [...] [the] glories, Youel, and
the [four] Lights of [the] [great] Protophanes, Mind, Selmen, [and those] with him, the
god-[revealers] Zach[thos] and Yachthos, Sethe[us] and An-tiphan[te]s, [Sel-] dao and
Ele[n]nos [...] 55 [...] [...] go [...] the [...] their [...]
likeness [... exist] as [...] of the [...], for [...] see [...] [...] aeon [...] more
[...] Light [...] more glories [...] the following are in accordance with [each one] of
the aeons: a living [earth] and a [living] water, and air made of light and a blazing fire
which cannot [burn], and living beings and trees and souls [and] minds and men [and] all
those who are [with them], but (there are) no gods [or] powers or angels, for all these 56
are [...] and [...] and [...] exist [...] all [...] all [...] [...] all [...] [...] they
being [...] and they being [...]

[...] and [...] [and] those [...] him, the Autogenes. [I] received a likeness from
[all] these. The aeons [of the] Autogenes opened (and) a [great Light] came forth [...]
from the aeons of the [triple-] male, and they [glorified] them. The four aeons were
desiring within a [...] aeon the [...] pattern [...] single one existing [...] Then
E[phesek], the child of the child [...]57 (4 lines unrecoverable)
[... Yesseus] Maza [reus Yessede]keus [...] [...] of [... seal ...] upon him [...] and
Gabriel
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] seal [...] four races

There came before me she who belongs to [the glories], the male and [virginal ...]
Yoel. [I] deliberated about the crowns, (and) she said to me, "Why [has] your spirit
deliberated [about] the crowns and the [seals] on them [...] are the crowns which
strengthen every [spirit ...] and every soul, and [the] seals which are [upon] the triple
races and [...] the invisible spirit 58 are [...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)
and [...] [virgin ...] [...] and [...] [...] seek [...] [...]in the[...] [in] them [...]
[...] and [...] [...] he [strengthened] and the seals [...] race are those belonging to
the Autogenes and the Protophanes and the Kalyptos.

The [Invisible] Spirit [is] a psychic and intellectual power, a knower and a
fore-knower. Therefore he is with [Gabriel] the spirit-giver [so that] when he gives a
holy spirit he might seal him with the crown and crown him, [having] gods [...] 59
[...] [...] the
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] the
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] [...] spirit [...] to one (fem.)
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] they exist [...] and they were not [in] them in order that they might [become]
simple and [might] not be doubled [according to] any pattern. [These] then are the simple,
perfect individuals. [...] and all these [...] of the aeons [...] him, all these [...] who
exist in a place [...] all-perfect it required a great [...] to see them, for [...]60 (3 lines unrecoverable)
perfect [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] every [...] exist [...] he is [...] [hear] him [...] [...] and [...] in thought
[...] a first thought [...] since [...] is in a power she is perfect [...] it is fitting
for you to [...] about everything, and [...] those to whom you will listen through a
thought of those higher than perfect and also those whom you will [know] in a soul [of]
the perfect ones."

[When] she has said this, she [baptized me]61 (6 lines unrecoverable)
[...] the first [... and] I received power
(1 line unrecoverable)
[... I] received the form [...] received [...] [...] existing upon my [...] receive a holy
spirit [I] came into being [really] existing. Then, she brought me into the great [aeon]
where the perfect triple-male (is). I saw the invisible child within an invisible Light.
Then [she] baptized me again in62 (4 lines unrecoverable)
[...] her [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[and] I [...] I was able to [...] [...] the great one [...] and perfect [...]

Yoel who belongs to all [the glories] said to me, "You have [received] all the
[baptisms] in which it is fitting to [be] baptized, and you have become [perfect] [...]
the hearing of [...] all. Now [call] again upon Salamex and [...] and the all-perfect
Ar[...] the Lights of the [aeon] Barbelo and the immeasurable knowledge. They will reveal 63
[...] [...] invisible
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[...] which [...] [... virgin] Barbelo [and] the Invisible [triple] powerful Spirit."

[When] Youel who belongs to all the glories [had said this] to me, she [put me down]
and went and stood before the Protophanes. Then, I was [...] over my spirit, [while]
praying fervently to the great Lights in thought. I began calling upon Salamex and Se-
[...]en and the all-perfect [...]e. I saw glories which are greater than powers, [and]
they annointed me. I was able 64 [...] in my [...] and[...]

(2 lines unrecoverable)
she covered [...] all [...] Salamex [and] those [who] have revealed everything [to me]
saying, "Zostrianos, [learn] of those things about which you asked.
(1 line unrecoverable)
and [he is] a single one [who] exists before [all] these who really exist [in the]
immeasurable and undivided Spirit [...] [...] the All which [exists] in him and the [...]
[...] and that one which [...] after him. It is he alone who crosses it [...]

65 (4 lines unrecoverable)
[...] all these [...] he is [...] [...] first [...] [... of] thought [...] of every power
[... downward] [...] he is established [...] stand, he [passes] into the pathway to a
place [...] and infinite. He is far higher than every unattainable one, yet he gives [...]
greater than any body (and) is purer than every unembodied one, entering every thought and
every body [because he] is more powerful than everything, every race and species, as their
All. 66 [...] exist
(4 lines unrecoverable)
to a partial (...] [...] part [...] [exist] in a [...] know her [...] [...he is] from him
[...] which really exists, who (is) from the Spirit who [really] exists, the one alone
[...] for they are powers of [...] Existence [...] and Life and Blessedness.

In Existence he exists [as] a simple head, his [word] and species. Let the one who will
find him come into existence. Existing in Life, he is alive [...]67 (2 lines unrecoverable)
[he having] knowledge [...] know all these [...] him alone [...] for god [...] unless
[...] [...] alone, and he [...] [...] in him [...] [...] the single [...] [...] for he
exists as [...] [in] that which is his, which [exists] as a form of a form, [...] unity of
the [...]. He exists as [the] [...] since he is in [the] mind. He is within it, not coming
forth to any place because he is a single perfect, simple spirit. [Because] it is his
place and [...], it is within him and the All that he comes into being. It is he who
exists, he who 68 [...] [...] and a [...] and a [protector] in him.

Life [...] and activity of the insubstantial [...] the [...] which exists in him
[exists] in him [...] exists because of [him ...] blessed and a [...] perfect, and [...]
which exist in [...] which really exists. The form of the activity which exists is
blessed. By receiving Existence, he receives power, the [...] a perfection [...] separate
forever. Then he exists as a perfect one. Therefore, he exists as a perfect one because he
is undivided with his own region, for nothing exists before him except the [perfect]
unity.

(Pages 69-72 are blank; they may have been numbered.)

73 existence [...] [...] she is salvation [...] [all ...] and he
[...] [...] be able, nor does he [...] [...] him, if he [...] him to him, all these [...]
[...] for he [who] [...] in existence [...] this one, he totally [exists] as Life, and in
Blessedness he has knowledge. If he apprehends the [glories], he is perfect; but if he
apprehends [two] or one, he is drunk, as he has received [from] him. It is because of
[him] that there exist those with souls and those without souls; because of him (exist)
those who will be saved; because of him (exist) those who will [perish] since they have
not [received] from him; because of [him] (exists) matter and bodies; because of him
(exist) non- 74 [...] [because of] him [...] every [...] because of
[...] [...] this one [...] who [pre-] exists and he [...] [...] a [simple] head, [a]
single spirit [...] he is [...], and [...] existence, form, [...] [...] of him.

It is [in accordance with] Activity, that is [...] Life, and in accordance with
perfection, that is intellectual power, that she is a [...] Light. It is at one time that
the three stand, at one time they move. It is in every place yet not in any place that the
ineffable unnameable one [...] and produces them all. [...] exist from him[...] resting in
him [...] in her perfection he has not received from [every] form 75
because of him
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] anything [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] in existence [...] dwell in the [...] of life. But in perfection and [knowledge]
(is) Blessedness.

All [these] dwell [in the] indivisibility of [the] Spirit. Because of knowledge [...]
is [divinity] and [...] and blessedness and life and knowledge and goodness and unity and
singleness. In short, all these (are) the purity of barrenness [...] pre-exists him [...]
all these and the 76 [...] his [...] [...] in [...]
(4 lines unrecoverable)
aeon, a [...] in a [...] barrenness, he [...] he always [...] him when he saw him [...] It
is because he [is] one that he is simple. Because he is Blessedness in perfection [...]
one, perfect and [blessed]. It is because she was in need of his [...] that she was in
need of this from him, because he followed [her] with knowledge. It is outside of him that
his knowledge dwells; it dwells with the one who examines himself, a reflection and a
[...] 77 [...] be in need of [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] simple
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] and [...] he [...] [...] this, she [...] [...] the pleroma [...] which she did not
desire for herself.

She has [...] him outside of the [perfection], she has divided, for she is [the]
all-perfection [of] perfection, existing as thought. With respect to him [she] is a
begetting which follows him, and as one from his ineffable power she has a first power and
the first bar-reness after him, because with respect to all the rest a first aeon78 (3 lines unrecoverable)
[all ...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] of the [...] [...] and him [...] know him, he really exists as an aeon [...] and in
Activity [...] power and a [...] she did not begin [...] time, but she [appeared] from
eternity, having stood before him in eternity. She was darkened by the majesty of his
[...] She stood looking at him and rejoicing because she was filled with his kindness,
[...] but when she had [...]79 (5 lines unrecoverable)
[...] she [...] [...] first existence [...] insubstantial and that [....] It is [from] the
undivided one that [it] moves toward Existence in activity and [intellectual] perfection
and intellectual life, which was Blessedness and Divinity.

The [whole] Spirit, perfect, simple and invisible, has become singleness in Existence
and activity and a simple triple-[power], an invisible spirit, an image of that which
really exists, the one80 (5 lines unrecoverable)
of the really [existing] one [...] [he] exists in a [...] she being an image [...] in a
turning [...] power to join with his [...] she having seen the [...] which existed [...]
all-perfection [...] that one, because he [...] pre-exist and [...] rest upon all these,
he [...] pre-exist being known as triple-powerful.

The Invisible Spirit has not ever [been) ignorant. He always knew, but he was always
perfection [and] blessedness [....] 81 She became ignorant [...] and
she [...] body and [...] promise [...] light [...] [...] she exists [...] [...] in order
that she might not come forth anymore nor come into existence apart from perfection. She
knew herself and him. Having made herself stand, she was at rest because of him, since she
was [from] him who really exists, {she was from him who really exists) and all those.
(Thus), she knows herself and him who pre-exists.

By following him they came into being existing { they came into being existing) and
appearing through those 82 [who pre-]exist. And [...] through the
[...] they having appeared [...] two [...] they appeared [... the one] who knows him
beforehand, as an eternal space, since he had become his second knowledge, once again the
knowledge of his knowledge, the unborn Kalyptos. [They] stood upon him who really exists,
for she knew about him, in order that those who follow her might come into being having a
place and that those who come forth (from her) might not be before her but might become
holy (and) simple. She is the comprehension of god 83 who pre-
[exists. She] rested [...] to the simple [...] salvation salvation [...] [...] he [...]
[...] light which was fore- [known]. She was called Barbelo because (of her being)
thought; the triple [race] (which is) male, virginal (and) perfect and her knowledge
through which she came into being in order that they might not [...] her down and that she
might not come forth anymore through those in her and those who follow her. Rather, she is
simple in order that she might be able to know the god who pre-exists because she came
into being as a good (product) of him since she
(1 line unrecoverable)84 [...] barrenness [...] third [...] two [...] of this way [...]
[...] and male [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] and the [...] barrenness [...] [...] she is a second [...] she stood [...] first of
the reality [which] really exists [...] [...] the blessedness [...] of the Invisible
[Spirit], the knowledge [...] the first existence in the simplicity of the Invisible
Spirit in the unity. It is in that pure singleness that he is similar and [...] species.
And he who [...] exist [...]85 (6 lines unrecoverable)
[...] and knows [...] and the [...] and the [perfection] and [...] produces and [...] the
first Kalyptos [...] them all, existence and activity, divinity, race and species.

But are powers one? In what way (is it) that he is one, that is, not a partial one, but
(one of) those of the All? What is the unity which is unity? Is he from [...] activity
[...] life and [...] of [...]. And [...] 86 (7 lines unrecoverable)
power [...] as [...]

[...] perceptible [...] [...] all-perfect [...] [...] she having spoken, [...]
"You are great, Aphr[edon]. You are perfect, Neph[redon]." To his existence she
says, "You are great, Deipha[...]. She [is] his activity and life and divinity. You
are great, Harmedon [...], who belongs to all the glories, Epiph[a- and his blessedness
and the perfection [of] the singleness [...] all [...]" 87 (6
lines unrecoverable)
[...] forever [...] intellectual [... perfect] [the virgin Barb]elo through the simplicity
of the blessedness of the triple powerful Invisible Spirit. She who has known him has
known herself. And he, being one everywhere, being undivided, having [...] has [...] and
she has known [herself as] his activity [...] and he has known [...] knowledge [...]
within 88 [...]
(7 lines unrecoverable)
bless [...] [...] Be[ritheus, Erignaor], Or[imeni]os, Ar[amen], Alphl[ege]s,
Elilio[upheus], Lalamenu[s], Noetheus [...] great is your name [...] it is strong. He who
knows (it) knows everything. You are one, you are one, Siou, E[...], Aphredon, you are the
[aeon] of the aeons of the perfect great one, the first Kalyptos of the [...] activity,
and [...] he is [...] his image [...] of his, he [...]

89 [...]
(7 lines unrecoverable)
[...existence] [...] and he
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] in [...the glory] [...] glories [...] a [...] in
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[...] aeon
(3 lines unrecoverable)90 (8 lines unrecoverable)
exist [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[and
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[blessed ...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[perfect...]
(7 lines unrecoverable)91 (8 lines unrecoverable)
[...] god
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[...] first [...] and powers [... all-perfect] they are [...] of all these and a cause of
[them] all, a [...] Barbelo
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] him and [...] all these [...] he not having [...] and his [...] become [...] but 92
[...]
(8 lines unrecoverable)
of [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[and ...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
and a [...] in a [...] according to the [thought] which really [exists ...] which exists
as [...] name [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
Kalyptos [...] the [...] triple [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
but [...] 93 name him.

All these come, as it were, from him who is pure. If you give glory because of him, and
if you [...] existence [...] his [...]a [...] simple
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] he will
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] that one [... know] him
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] perfect he being [... perfect] and [...] [...] perfect
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] his
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] him [...] to the
(1 line unrecoverable)94 he was not able to see her. Therefore, it is impossible to
receive him in this way in majestic purity as a perfect head of [him who] is in [...]
[...] which [... know] him concerning [...] say it [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
which [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
which [...] for
(1 line unrecoverable)
[... exist] together [...] and [...]
(5 lines unrecoverable)
nor [...] 95 differences between these and angels, and differences
between these and men, and differences between these and existence. And [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] and [perception ]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] really
(1 line unrecoverable)
for [...] the [perceptible] world [...] like
(1 line unrecoverable)
existence [...] for [...] and [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
(lines 20ff do not survive) 96 will approach him in knowledge. He
receives power, but he who is far from him is humbled."

And I said, "Why then have the judges come into being? What [...] is the
[suffering] of the [...] for
(1 line unrecoverable)
and [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
but [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
through [...] who [...] suffering [...] through [...] the [...] [...] exists [...] she
dwells [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
(lines 22ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 97 male, since she is
knowledge [of] the triple powerful invisible great Spirit, the image of [the first]
Kalyptos, the [blessedness] in the [invisible] Spirit, [...] the
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] for [...] he knows
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[...] fill [...] she appears [...] knowledge [...] she stands [...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)
(lines 21ff, ca. 6 lines, do not survive) 98 [...] a perfect unity
of a complete unity, and when she divided the All [...] from the All [...] existence and
[...] [...] the thoughts [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[perception]
(l2 lines unrecoverable)
(lines 22ff, ca. 5 lines, do not survive) 99 [...] [existence ...]
[...] in [...] which
(1 line unrecoverable)
knowledge
(3 lines unrecoverable)
[...] she blesses
(4 lines unrecoverable)
[...] which
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] and
(4 lines unrecoverable)
(lines 21ff, ca. 6 lines, do not survive)

104 [...] she appears [...] of those who [...] [...] of the [...]
and [...] this [...] the [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
see [...]
(5 lines unrecoverable)
he[...] really [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
that[...] and[...]
(5 lines unrecoverable)
(lines 24ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 105 are those who [stand
...] the aeon of [...] come up to [...] [...] which exist in [...] he on the one hand
[...] [...] he [...] one [...] an origin
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] and [...] he [...] matter [...] single
(1 line unrecoverable)
[... exist]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] which [...] and
(1 line unrecoverable)
(lines 22ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 106 [...] and he exists
[...] he is [...] and [...] mark of a [...] [...] an [...] nor of [...] [...] he [...]
which [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
and [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
number [...] live [...] according to [...] which [...]
(4 lines unrecoverable)
which [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
(lines 23ff, ca. 4 lines, do not survive) 107 them [...] [...] and
[...] existence [...] [...] and the [...] exist as [...] reflection [...] first
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] first [...] of the
(2 lines unrecoverable)
[...] he
(9 lines unrecoverable)
(lines 22ff, ca. 6 lines, do not survive) 108 [...] not, they giving
[...] [...] he who exists [...] [...] all and he [...] a multitude [...] creation
(1 line unrecoverable)
and [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)
the [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
in the [...] these [...] the[...] of [...] alive [...]
(4 lines unrecoverable)
in [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)

(Pages 109-112 do not survive)

113 and angels and daimons and minds and souls and living beings
and trees and bodies and those which are before them: those of the simple elements of
simple origins, and those which arein [...] and unmixed confusion, air [and] water and
earth and number and yoking and movement and [...] and order and breath and all the rest.
They are fourth powers which are [in] the fourth aeon, those which] are in the [...] and
[...] perfect of [...] powers [...] powers [...] of [...] of [...] angels [of the] angels,
souls [of the] souls, living beings [of the] living beings, trees [of] [the trees ...]
[...] and [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)114 his own.

There are those who are as begotten, and those who are in an unborn begetting, and
there are those who are holy and eternal, and the immutable ones in death and destruction
in indestructibility; and there are those who are as All; there are those [who are] races
and those who are [in] a world and order; there are those in [indestructibility], and
there are the first [who stand] and the second [in] all of them. [All] those [who] are
from them and [those who] are [in] them, and [from] these who [follow] them [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)
these [...] and [the] fourth aeons stood [...] [...] they existing [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)115 in them, he being scattered abroad. They are not crowded against
one another, but to the contrary they are alive, existing in themselves and agreeing with
one another, as they are from a single origin. They are reconciled because they are all in
a single aeon of Kalyptos, [...] being divided in power, for they exist in accord with
each of the aeons, standing in relationship to the one which has reached them.

But Kalyptos is [a] single aeon; [he] has four different aeons. In accord with each of
the aeons they have powers, not like first and second (powers), for all these [are]
eternities, [but] they are different [...] and order and glory [...] which exists [in ...]
four aeons and [...] who pre-exists [...] god [...] [...] they are [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)

116 All of them exist in one, dwelling together and perfected
individually in fellowship and filled with the aeon which really exists. There are those
among them (who stand) as dwelling in essence and those (who stand) as essence in conduct
or [suffering] because they are in a second, for the unengenderedness of the ungenerated
one who really exists is among them. When the ungenerated have come into being, their
power stands; there is an incorporeal essence with [an] imperishable [body]. The
[immutable one] is [there] who [really ] exists. Because it transforms [through] change,
the [...] in destructible fire stands with [all] [these ...] [...] one [...] 117
he stands. It is there that all living beings dwell, existing individually (yet) all
joined together. The knowledge of the knowledge is there together with a setting up of
ignorance. Chaos is there and a perfect place for all of them, and they are strange. True
Light (is there), also enlightened darkness together with the one who does not really
exist - [he] does not really exist. [...] the non-being who does not exist at all. But it
is he, the Good, from whom derives the good and what is pleasant and the divine; (it is
he) from [whom] comes God and he who [...], he who is great. For [...] in part [...] form
and God that [...]and the one [...] [...] a god [...] [...] all these [...] [...] darkness
[...]
(1 line unrecoverable)118 and a race. He has not mixed with anything, but he remains alone
in himself and rests himself on his limitless limit. He is [the] God of those who really
exist, a seer and a revealer of God.

When she had strengthened him who [knew her], the aeon Barbelo, the knowledge of the
Invisible Triple Powerful Perfect Spirit, in order to [...] her, said, "He [...] a
life. I am alive in [...] You, the One, are alive. He is alive, [he] who is three. It is
you who are [the] three who are three [doubled ...] e e e. The first of seven [...] the
third [...] the second [...] e e e e a a a a a a a [...] [...] two, but he [four ...]
[...] knowledge [...]
(1 line unrecoverable)

(1 line unrecoverable)119 a part? What kind of mind, and what kind of wisdom? What kind of
understanding, what kind of teaching? His Lights are named (as follows): the first [is
Arme]don and she who is with him, [...]; the second is Diphane [... and] she who is with
him, Dei- ph[a ...]; the third is [Malsed]on and she who is with him [...]; the fourth is
[...]s and she who is with him, Olmis.

Kalyptos exists having [...] with his Form. He is invisible to all these so that they
all might be strengthened by him [...] [...] he exists in [...] all-perfect because [he
has] four existing
(1 line unrecoverable)
[...] nor according to a [...] alone [... B]arbelo [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)120 know him and the one who is set over a second. The first of the
aeons is Harmedon, the father-glory. The second Light (is) one whom [he does] not [know],
but all the [individuals], wisdom [...] exist in the fourth aeon who has revealed
[himself] and all the glories. [The third] Light (is) he [...] not him, as the word of all
[the forms] and that other [glory], understanding, [who is] in the third [aeon]. There are
four in Malsedon and [...] nios. The fourth Light is the one who [...] of all the forms
existing [...] a teaching and glory [...] and the truth of the [four aeons], Olmis, [...]
and the [...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)121 fifth.

The first (is the one) who is the second, that is, it is the all-perfect Kalyptos, for
the four Lights exist. It is Kalyptos who has divided again, and they exist together. All
who know those who exist as glories are perfect. This one [...] knows everything about
them all is all-perfect. From him is every power, every one and their entire aeon, because
they all come to him and they all come from him, the power of them all (and) the origin of
them all. When he learned [of them], he became a [...] aeon and a ingenerateness. [...]
other aeons [in ...]a[...]
(2 lines unrecoverable)122 become a Barbelo, he becomes a first aeon because of the
eternity of the Invisible Spirit, the second ingenerateness.

These are all the glories: the limitless Aphredons, [...] the ineffables, the
revealers, all the [...] immutables, the glory-revealers, the twice-revealed Marsedons,
the limitless Solmises, the self-revealers who are [full] of glory, those who [wait for]
glory, the blessers, the M[arse-] dons, the Kalyptoi who [...] the limits [...] upon the
limits [...] those who exist [...]
(3 lines unrecoverable)
(Lines 24ff, I or 2, do not survive) 123 ten thousand glories in
them.

Therefore, he is a perfect glory so that whenever he can join (another) and prevail, he
exists as perfect. Thus, even if he enters into a body and a death (coming) from matter,
they do not receive greater honor because of their all-perfectness from whom came all
these, being perfect, together with those who are with him. Indeed, each of the aeons has
ten thousand aeons in himself, so that by existing together he may become a perfect aeon.

He exists in the [Blessedness] of the Triple [Powerful] Perfect Invisible [Spirit ...]
silence [...] who became first [...] and the knowledge
(3 lines unrecoverable)124 whole, a silence of the second knowledge, the first thought in
the will of the Triple Powerful, because he commanded it to know him, so that he might
become all-perfect and perfect in himself. By simplicity and blessedness he is known. [I
received] goodness through that follower of the Barbelo aeon who gives being to himself.
[...] is not the power, but she is the one who belongs to him.

The aeons which really exist do so in silence. Existence was inactivity, and knowledge
of the self-established Kalyptos was ineffable. Having come [from the] fourth, the [...]
thought, the Proto[phanes], as (the) Perfect Male [Mind]
(2 lines unrecoverable)125 he is his image, equal to him in power and glory but with
respect to order higher than him, (yet not higher) in aeon. Like him he has all these
(parts) living (and) dwelling together in one. Together with the aeon in the aeons he has
a fourfold difference with all the rest who are there.

But Kalyptos really exists, and with him is located she who belongs to all the glories,
Youel, the male virgin glory, through whom are seen the all-perfect ones. Those who stand
before him are the triple [...] child, the triple [...], the Autogenes [...] He has [...]
in one [... the one] again who prevails over the [...] existing in [...] 126
of ten thousand- fold.

The first aeon in him, from whom is the first Light, (is) Solmis and the god revealer,
since he is infinite according to the type in the Kalyptos aeon and Doxomedon. The second
aeon (is) Akremon the ineffable together with the second Light Zachthos and Yachtos. The
third aeon is Ambrosios the virgin together with the third Light Setheus and Antiphantes.
The fourth aeon is the blesser [...] race with [the] fourth Light [Seldao] and Elenos.

The [...] him [...] [...] Arm[edon
(1 line unrecoverable)127 phoe zoe zeoe ze[...] zosi zosi zao zeooo zesen zes- en - the
individuals and the four who are eight-fold are alive. eoooo eaeo - you who are before
them, and you who are in them all. They are within the perfect male Armedon Protophanes of
all those who dwell together. Since all the individuals were existing as perfect ones, the
Activity of all the individuals appeared again as the divine Autogenes.

He stands within an aeon because there are within him four different self-begotten
aeons. The first aeon in him as the first Light (is) [Harmoze]l-Orneos-Euthrou- nios. [He]
was called
(1 line unrecoverable)
[... The] second [aeon as] [the second Light is] [Oraiael ...]-udas[...]os, Ap[...] 128
Arros[...]. The third (aeon) of the third Light (is) Daveithe-Laraneus- Epiphanios-Eideos.
The fourth (aeon) as the fourth Light (is) Eleleth-Kodere- Epiphanios-Allogenios. But as
for all the rest who are in matter, they were all left (there). It was because of
knowledge of greatness, audacity and power that they came into existence and comforted
themselves. Because they did not know God, they shall pass away. Behold, Zostrianos, you
have heard all these things of the gods are ignorant and (which) seem infinite to
angels."

I took courage and said, "I am [still ] wondering about the Triple Powerful
Invisible Perfect Spirit: how he exists for himself, [how he causes] everything [...] who
really exist [...] what is the [...] [...] and [...] [...] of [...] 129
very [...] they set [me] down (and) left.

Apophantes and Aphropais, the Virgin-light, came before me and brought me into
Protophanes, (the) great male perfect Mind. I saw all of them as they exist in one. I
joined with them all (and) blessed the Kalyptos aeon, the virgin Barbelo and the Invisible
Spirit. I became all-perfect and received power. I was written in glory and sealed. I
received there a perfect crown. I came forth to the perfect individuals, and all of them
were questioning me. They were listening to the loftiness of my knowledge. They were
rejoicing and receiving power. When I again came down to the aeons of Autogenes, I
received a true image, pure (yet) suitable for the perceptible (world).

I came down to the aeon copies and came down here 130 to the
airy-earth. I wrote three tablets (and) left them as knowledge for those who would come
after me, the living elect. Then I came down to the perceptible world and put on my image.
Because it was ignorant, I strengthened it (and) went about preaching the truth to
everyone. Neither the angelic beings of the world nor the archons saw me, for I negated a
multitude of [judgments] which brought me near death.

But an erring multitude I awakened saying, "Know those who are alive and the holy
seed of Seth. Do not [show] disobedience to me. [Awaken] your divine part to God, and as
for your sinless elect soul, strengthen it. Behold death here and seek the immutable
ingenerateness, the [Father] of everything. He invites you, while they reprove you.
Although they ill-treat 131 you, he will not abandon you.

Do not baptize yourselves with death nor entrust yourselves to those who are inferior
to you instead of to those who are better. Flee from the madness and the bondage of
femaleness and choose for yourselves the salvation of maleness. You have not come to
suffer; rather, you have come to escape your bondage.

Release yourselves, and that which has bound you will be dissolved. Save yourselves so
that your soul may be saved. The kind Father has sent you the Savior and given you
strength. Why are you hesitating? Seek when you are sought; when you are invited, listen,
for time is short.

Do not be led astray. The aeon of the aeons of the living ones is great, yet (so also
is) the [punishment] of those who are unconvinced. Many bonds and chastisers surround you.
132 Flee quickly before death reaches you. Look at the Light. Flee
the Darkness. Do not be led astray to your destruction.

Zostrianos
Oracles of Truth of Zostrianos
God of Truth
Teachings of Zoroaster

Original translation of this text was prepared by members of the
Coptic Gnostic Library Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate School.
The Coptic Gnostic Library Project was funded by UNESCO, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and other Institutions.
E. J. Brill has asserted copyright on texts published by the Coptic Gnostic Library Project.

The translation presented here has been edited, modified and formatted for use in the Gnostic Society Library.
For academic citation, please refer to published editions of this text.